Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas is leading a digital campaign to counteract the deceptive tactics employed by human smugglers.
To work against the deceptive tactics used by the illegal human smugglers, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) kicked into gear a robust digital advertising campaign. According to a press release, the campaign aims to put a stop to falsehoods pertaining to the termination of the public health order under Title 42. By using to-the-point messages and engaging visuals, the goal is to educate potential migrants about the stringent U.S. immigration laws established under Title 8.
"Do not believe the lies of smugglers. The border is not open," Mayorkas said in a statement. "People who do not use available lawful pathways to enter the U.S. now face tougher consequences, including a minimum five-year ban on re-entry and potential criminal prosecution. Together with our partners throughout the federal government and Western Hemisphere, we are prepared for this transition."
Mayorkas warned of increased enforcement measures.
"Starting tonight, people who arrive at the border without using a lawful pathway will be presumed ineligible for asylum," Mayorkas said. "We are ready to humanely process and remove people without a legal basis to remain in the U.S. We have 24,000 Border Patrol Agents and Officers at the Southwest Border and have surged thousands of troops and contractors, and over [1,000] asylum officers to help enforce our laws."
The digital ads, strategically placed throughout South and Central American countries such as Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Colombia, make use of geotargeting techniques to effectively reach individuals along the migratory path. Furthermore, the campaign capitalizes on popular social media platforms frequently accessed by migrants. Significantly, the ads have been designed to encourage widespread sharing, enabling anyone to disseminate the messages to others.
